The Post-Modernist Queer Movement
A Cesspool Of Vulgar Antisemitism, Homophobia And Misogyny, But I Repeat Myself
The recent attack on Israel by Hamas that has left 1400 Israelis dead and over 200 taken hostage disproves the mistaken belief that all social justice movements seamlessly align.
The challenge it posed was straightforward: Can you unequivocally denounce the deliberate and brutal massacre of civilians without resorting to deflection or comparisons? Can you set aside, even momentarily, your valid criticisms of Benjamin Netanyahu's administration, West Bank settlements, and the situation in Gaza, and express deep shock at the widespread killing of innocent civilians?
That’s going to be a big, fat “nope”.
Driven by an unwavering pursuit of intersectionality, various movements, including women's rights, disability rights, and queer liberation, have intertwined their agendas with the Israeli context. Even though there might not be obvious inherent connections, the Israel discourse has become so central to these activist endeavors that it often overwhelms the primary goals of these groups.
Among progressives, there is a prevailing perception that Jews are consistently seen as the aggressors, while Arabs are portrayed as perpetual victims. This narrative has become deeply ingrained to the point where even Democratic lawmakers like Rep. Rashida Tlaib have felt compelled to denounce what they view as the "violent reality" of Israeli "apartheid," even during incidents when Hamas militants were involved in the killing of Israeli civilians in the streets. Denying Israeli sovereignty has, to some extent, become a litmus test for many progressives.
What's most discouraging about this campaign is the ease with which it has been permitted to unfold. Over the last ten years, American higher education institutions have capitulated to the progressively extreme demands of well-organized anti-Israel activists who control discourse and suppress opposing voices. Incidents of anti-Israel activities on campuses nearly doubled in the past year, as did the number of schools adopting boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) initiatives.
Some colleges have employed more alarming measures. For instance, last year, the Law School at the University of California, Berkeley, implemented a complete ban on pro-Israel speakers at their events. Moreover, just this past March, Harvard University hosted its annual "Israel Apartheid Week," an event organized by the same group that did not hesitate to declare, the other weekend, that they hold the Israeli government entirely responsible for the ongoing violence in the region.
The fixation on Israel has evidently not diminished in the aftermath of the recent Gaza attacks. Over the weekend, the Democratic Socialists of America organized an "All Out for Palestine" rally in Times Square, featuring swastikas and the burning of Israeli flags.
And yet this is hardly new. The discussion concerning Israel's actions towards the Palestinian population has created tension at LGBTQ events and parades for several years. Jewish groups aiming to exhibit religious symbols have encountered challenges in doing so. In 2017, the organizers of the Chicago Dyke March expelled women who were carrying the Pride flag adorned with a Star of David, explaining that it bore a resemblance to the Israeli flag.
In 2019, a gay bar located in Minneapolis found itself entangled in the controversy when a journalist discovered tweets made by the bar's owner, in which they advocated for the killing of all Israelis. The owner also accused Zionist Jews, a broad category encompassing those who endorse the existence of a Jewish state in Israel in any manner, of exerting control over the United States. These tweets exhibited elements of both anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism.
But among all the slogans heard and exhibited during the anti-Israel protests since October 7, "Queers for Palestine" is undoubtedly one of the most contradictory. This is the slogan of a San Francisco-based group known as Queers Undermining Israeli Terrorism (QUIT), which promotes divestment from the Jewish State. QUIT asserts that Zionism equates to racism, frequently participates in gay pride parades, collaborates with far-right Muslim organizations, and effectively pressured the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission into boycotting the 2006 World Pride Conference because it was held in Jerusalem that year.
Yeah, they’ve been around for a while.
The paradox with QUIT lies in the fact that their support for Palestine is not reciprocated. While there may be individuals within the LGBTQ+ community who advocate for Palestine, the Palestinian territory doesn't offer a welcoming or compassionate environment for queer individuals, both in terms of living conditions and empathy. Similar to many Islamic states, the Palestinian Authority systematically mistreats LGBTQ+ people. Under the pretext of identifying Israeli "collaborators," P.A. officials engage in extortion, imprisonment, and the torture of LGBTQ+ individuals. However, the oppression of homosexuality among Palestinians isn't solely a product of state policies; it is deeply ingrained in Palestinian society, where the animosity towards LGBTQ+ individuals often surpass even that directed at Jews.
Beyond being anti-LGBTQ+, the Middle East there is a severe lack of acceptance and legal protection for LGBTQ+ individuals. In numerous Muslim countries, engaging in same-sex relationships can result in severe punishments, such as death or imprisonment. Particularly, the situation for LGBTQ+ individuals in Gaza is reported to be extremely harsh, where they may face the threat of public executions, stonings, mutilations, being thrown from buildings - sometimes even by their own family members or suffering violence at the hands of extremists.
The LGBTQ+ experience in Palestinian society can be extremely distressing. In fact, it's not uncommon for young LGBTQ+ individuals in Palestine to seek refuge in Israel whenever they have the opportunity, and Israel is known for welcoming them.
Given this, it may seem puzzling that LGBTQ+ activists would choose to protest against a bastion of LGBTQ+ rights and liberation, namely Israel, while advocating for a society like Palestine, which is known for its severe oppression and violence against LGBTQ+ individuals.
Some describe it as irrational, while others attribute it to a lack of awareness or access to accurate information. However, these explanations don't seem to hold up. It's challenging to find any justification for joining an organization like QUIT other than harboring strong anti-Semitic sentiments. It's widely acknowledged that Palestinians have been involved in violent acts against LGBTQ+ individuals, so it's not a matter of misinformation. This new manifestation of anti-Semitism often takes the form of being anti-Israel, which leads to supporting Palestine and indirectly endorsing the harm caused to LGBTQ+ individuals.
LGBTQ+ advocacy groups typically focus on issues directly related to their own community. You rarely come across organizations like "Gays Against Genocide in Congo," despite the immense suffering in that region where millions have been victimized. Similarly, you don't often hear of "Gays Against Chavez," despite the democratic erosion in Venezuela under his leadership, or "Gays Against North Korea," despite the chronic hunger and periodic mass starvation there.
So, it's rather coincidental that among all the global causes, there exists a specific LGBTQ+ group dedicated to opposing the "occupation" in a region like Palestine, which has a history of homophobia.
Doesn't it make more sense to advocate for the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals in Palestine, where the only choice for a gay person is to escape to places like Israel, London, or Paris, or risk facing a dreadful fate? This problem often remains unaddressed, just like the numerous cases of violence against LGBTQ+ people in the Islamic world. So, what other rationale could there be for this situation other than a deep-seated anti-Semitism?
Cut the bullshit already! Can you provide the name of a single LGBTQ+ organization, aside from QUIT, that actively supports human rights cause unrelated to LGBTQ+ rights? There are none. This is not a mere coincidence; it strongly suggests that this organization was established based on clear anti-Semitic sentiments.
While many LGBTQ+ individuals worldwide may not officially belong to these organizations, they tend to align with their perspectives. I've encountered such individuals.
What's truly alarming is that these individuals hold such deep animosity towards Jews that they are willing to form alliances with those who are harming their own community in order to oppose what they perceive as a shared adversary. They are willing to make an agreement with their own enemies, those that mean them actual harm, to stand against Israel.
This is the purpose of the "Queers for Palestine" movement. In reaction to this, the LGBTQ+ and Jewish communities should come together to address the challenges posed by extremist individuals within certain Islamic factions who advocate for harm against both LGBTQ+ individuals and Jews.
I've consistently identified as a liberal, and I genuinely am one. However, it's regrettable that the positive principles of liberalism have been taken over by a group of radical anti-Semites.
For those who consider themselves "liberals" and wish to show support for groups like QUIT, it's crucial to deeply consider the suffering experienced by LGBTQ+ individuals in Palestine. The grim killings and oppressions they face are an undeniable reality in Palestine. However, it's disheartening that these liberals seem to overlook these issues in order to channel their anti-Israel sentiments.
